Wednesday, 29 March 2017

Minister must halt re-structuring plan to protect MABS and Citizens Information Service – John Brady TD

Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady TD has cautioned the Government on making unnecessary changes to MABS and the Citizens Information Service at the cost of the taxpayer.

Teachta Brady said:

“MABS and the Citizens Information Service provide a first class and a unique service which must be protected.

“The underhand manner in which the decision of re-structuring has been made by both the Department of Social Protection and the Citizens Information Board without proper consultation with stakeholders is unacceptable.

“It is ridiculous that neither MABS nor the Citizens Information Service have been given any explanation as to the rationale for the planned re-structuring.

“I had requested that the Committee on Social Protection invite in the stakeholders and produce a Committee report on the proposed plans and this work was almost complete with the report due next week.

“Instead, and without the completion of this process, Fianna Fáil have sought to use this issue in bringing forward this motion which is nothing short of political opportunism.

“In consultation with MABS on this motion, I have brought forward an amendment that rejects the need for any cost benefit analysis of the restructuring process given the voluntary nature of the services currently.

“This amendment also calls on the Minister to ensure that the existing model, where independent management of the service is drawn from local community and voluntary sector, is maintained.

“Sinn Féin fully acknowledges the work done every single day by MABS and the Citizens Information Service. We believe that if it is not broke, don’t fix it and we are calling on Minister Varadkar to issue a policy directive to the Citizens Information Board to halt this re-structuring proposal. It was stopped back in 2007 when common sense prevailed and it must be stopped again.”